Advocacy group aims to make speed limits a campaign issue in Ontario election

Are the current speed limits on our highways and byways justified?

That's a question that's been debated for decades in each and every province across the country.

Now, an Ontario citizens' group wants it to be an issue debated in the Ontario election campaign.

Stop100.ca is advocating for speed limits of 120 km/hour on all metropolitan 400-series highways and 130 km/hour on 400-series highways outside the cities.

It's probably accurate to say that most people already go those speeds — at least some of the time.

But Chris Klimek, executive director of Stop100.ca, argues that governments have purposely kept speed limits low as a means to collect fine revenue.

"Our provincial limits is 100 km/hour. Over 60 jurisdictions on earth, including many U.S. states, European countries, South America, anywhere you look most of these countries are posting 120, 130 km/hour on their divided freeways," he told 570 News in Kitchener.

"The question is: are we talking about increasing speeds here? We're simply talking about legalizing the existing practices.

And for those people who say 'if you increase the speed limit to 130, people will drive even faster — Klimek doesn't buy it.

"You drive according to conditions and you drive according to your skill. Most drivers do not have a death wish. Most riders on the road are actually reasonable and prudent drivers," he said.

"120 and 130 km/hour has been proven statistically are the safest speed limits that people tend to obey and stick to.

"Utah has a limit of 130. They've done speed studies recently. The number of speeding citations have dropped dramatically after they raised it from 120 to 130."

[ Related: Flight attendants’ union fighting proposed rule to reduce staff on aircraft ]

Across the country, speed limits have been, to use an economics term, sticky: Governments, for whatever reason, have been reluctant to increase them.

One exception might be in British Columbia where Transportation Minister Todd Stone is eyeing speed limit increases to rural roads in that province.

"Vehicle safety technology has advanced significantly in the past few years and many B.C. highways have undergone safety improvements," notes a section on the Ministry’s website.

"Reviewing speed limits will help ensure everyone traveling B.C.’s highways can do so as safely and efficiently as possible."

[ More Political Points: Conservative brand getting pulled into the mud over Eve Adams nomination mess ]

Don't, however, get your hopes up in Ontario. As chronicled by NewsTalk 1010, none of the parties seem excited about reviewing limits on the 400's.

What do you think?

Should raising speed limits be a priority for Ontario's political parties? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Are you a politics junkie?
Follow@politicalpoints on Twitter!